An Unexpected Friend (Book 1 of the Unexpected Series)

Ch. 4 - Let Them, Let Him, No Letter

I can't believe they're so mean to you! When I come to visit, I'm gonna hit all of them for you with my new moves. Dad says I shouldn't use them on other kids because it'll hurt them, but they deserve it! Tell them that if they don't stop, I'll beat them up. Tell Kankuro and Temari I'll hit them too if they don't help you.

Ew! Salted tongue sounds gross! But I'll try it just for you when I come visit. Just don't tell me what it is when I eat it. You should try yokan! I only get to eat it during festivals, but it's so good! If you like salty stuff then you should go to Ichiraku's when you visit one day! I went there a couple of times with Naruto and it's really good! Naruto's like you. Everyone's mean to him too. But I'll protect both of you! Naruto's hard to be friends with cause he's always running around, but I won't give up. Not on either of you!

I gotta go now! Say hi to Shukaku for me!

Kokoro

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"Why isn't he responding?" Kokoro asked no one in particular as she stared out the window. It had been weeks since her last letter was sent out and she had yet to hear from him. She worried something had happened to him. She chewed on her bottom lip and her eyes teared up at the idea of something happening to Gaara. She heard her dad come into the living room with a cup of tea in each hand. She ignored the cups in his hands and ran towards him. Seeing the imminent danger, Kakashi put the cups down as fast as he could and oomphed when she collided with him. He felt the tears soaking his shirt and the shaking of her body before he heard her. He enveloped her in a hug and rubbed her back.

"Did I do something wrong, dad?" she asked in between sobs. He petted her head and shushed her.

"I'm sure you didn't do anything wrong, Koko. Maybe the letter is just late getting here," he weakly reasoned. He felt her shake her head against his middle.

"They're never late. The letter," she said miserably. "Either he doesn't want to talk to me or something happened to him. Daddy," she said as she pulled back from him and stared at him with wide eyes, "What if Gaara's hurt?"

"Just give it a couple of days," he said. He wasn't sure what to say to comfort her. He supposed that Gaara wasn't dead; they would have heard rumors of the one-tailed jinchuuriki dying. He vaguely wondered if someone was interfering with their communication. He wouldn't put it past the Kazekage to isolate the boy. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Kakashi detangled himself from his daughter and made his way to the door. A shinobi with a letter in his hand offered the said item to Kakashi and vanished from sight. Kakashi sighed in relief.

"I told you one would come," he said with an eye smile. Kokoro brightened and practically snatched the letter from his hands. Kakashi grumbled but otherwise said nothing as she ripped the envelope open. He watched as her sunny mood darkened. She threw the letter to the ground before she stomped off to her room and slammed the door shut. Once more, Kakashi sighed. He picked the letter up and scanned the contents. His hand clenched around the piece of paper and his visible eye narrowed.

Dear Kokoro Hatake,

By order of the Kazekage, you are no longer allowed to receive letters from Gaara and he is no longer allowed to receive letters from you. It is in the best interest of Gaara that he no longer has contact with you.

Yashamaru

He was ready to throw the letter in the garbage when he felt another piece of paper taped to the back of the letter. Curious, Kakashi turned the letter over and found a small square piece of paper with writing on it.

Kokoro,

I cannot go against my Kazekage's orders, so it is with a heavy heart that I cannot give Gaara any more letters you send. However, if you send any more, I promise to hold onto them until Gaara is allowed to resume contact with you. Please do not give up on Gaara as I will not allow him to give up on you.